A tip-top silent classic, with great spooky atmosphere, wonderful sets (the money is up there on screen) and a strong love story. The Phantom really loves Christine; she’d be better off with him than the pompous Raoul. There’s a great bit which isn’t in the later ones with Christine and Raoul on the roof during the ball and she’s saying “get me away from this Phantom” and the Phantom is listening from the statue are above, his heart breaking – it’s great acting from Lon Chaney. Raoul is useless – doesn’t even save the day, all he does is stop Christine getting stomped on by the mob.
There is very strong horror – crashing chandelier, hanging corpses, people who go looking for the Phantom with hands raised so they don’t get strangled, a spectacular mob violence finale, a sinking gondolier, etc. The underground cavern is amazing with canals, and rooms, trapdoors, places to burn people and the head of the secret police is a good creepy character. Worth seeking out, even if you don't normally like silent movies.
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